RIGA, Oct 28 (LETA) - As of end-November, Rigas Siltums district heating company plans to increase heating tariff in Riga by another 8 percent, from EUR 170.59 per megawatt-hour (MWh) to EUR 183.86 per MWh, the company informed the Public Utilities Commission.

The company plans to increase the heating tariff on November 28, while on August 15 next year the tariff will decrease insignificantly by EUR 0.1

The increase in the heating tariff is due to the rising prices of woodchips and thermal energy purchased by the company.

As reported, earlier this fall Rigas Siltums increased the heating tariff twofold, from EUR 85.45 per MWh to EUR 170.59 per MWh.

The Public Utilities Commission reminds that households will automatically receive state support from October.

As reported, the state will pay 90 percent of the part of heating prices that exceed EUR 150 per MWh and compensate 50 percent of prices over EUR 68 per MWh and up to EUR 150 per MWh.

Of all the heating energy consumed by Riga, Rigas Siltums generates 30 percent, and 70 percent are bought from independent producers. The most significant producer is Latvenergo, which has confirmed the tariffs for its thermal power plants - TEC-1 and TEC-2 - at EUR 185-190 per MWh.

According to Firmas.lv, Rigas Siltums last year generated EUR 146.45 million in turnover and earned EUR 5.4 million in profit. Rigas Siltums shareholders include the Riga City Council - 49 percent of shares, the state of Latvia - 48.995 percent, Energijas Risinajumi. RIX - 2 percent, and Latvenergo - 0.005 percent.